LDS - Family History Microfilm Discontinuation

[Berlin-Bob]

According to something I just read in a german forum, the LDS is going to stop sending microfilms out after August 30th. 2017.

I couldn't find any reference to it here, so I am posting the link to the (english) page:

On September 1, 2017, FamilySearch will discontinue its microfilm distribution services.  (The last day to order microfilm will be on August 31, 2017.) [...] The change is the result of significant progress made in FamilySearch’s microfilm digitization efforts and the obsolescence of microfilm technology. [...]

https://www.lds.org/callings/temple-and-family-history/familysearch-microfilm-discontinuation?lang=eng&_r=1

Amongst reasons quoted are

• the increased and still increasing digitalisation of existing microfilms
• the ease of access through the internet of digitised records
• obsolescence of microfilm equipment and technik

regards,
Bob

[lanercost]

I'm not too surprised they will be discontinuing film. I had ordered my first microfilm in May and realised when I got to the family history centre that so much was online from within their building that I sent the microfilm back without using it.

[Billyblue]

Is this only in UK?  Or worldwide?

Dawn M

[Berlin-Bob]

I'm guessing world-wide, as they have made a very general information page about it, without mentioning any restrictions.

Bob

[dawnsh]

I posted this in March

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=767592.0

I know it specifically relates to The National Archives but is being out into effect elsewhere in the world.

You can filter this (growing) list by location and then look for the camera icon.

https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list

eg the UK collection

https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list/?page=1&region=UNITED_KINGDOM_IRELAND


Some online images can only be viewed at a LDS family hostory centre.

[Blue70]

Don't forget that there are many "hidden" batches of record images on FS that are not found by search and do not appear in their collection list. They can be found via results lists using catalogue. By searching for a particular location you get a list of records. Through trial and error by clicking on the camera icon in each batch you can discover various record image collections. Here are some of the new resources for Liverpool and the Isle of Man:-

Liverpool

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=770691.0


Isle of Man

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=771330.0



Blue

[goldie61]

I have found that many of the films digitised and viewable on-line at a LDS library for the places I want to look at, are films of the Bishop's Transcripts. MAny of the actual Parish registers are still only viewable by sending for the film.
These are for places that are not on the subscription sites.
So how will that work after the end of August?
Hopefully it means that those places not already digitised, will be soon - either by the LDS, or one of the subscription sites - we live in hope!  (Did I see Ancestry were  going to be doing Derbyshire? About time somebody did!)

Having said that, there are digitised films on LDS you can't get to see anywhere else without actually going to the pertinent RO - like Parish Chest films sometimes, which include Poor Law Records, churchwardens accounts etc. And even some Scottish ones I found yesterday (without having to go through SP). All very interesting.

[hurworth]

I would be interested to know how much it would cost to hire a film (in New Zealand), at it may be cheaper than getting individual images for 6 credits from ScotlandsPeople.  And when you browse a parish register you often find information you didn't even know you were looking for.

[davidft]

I would be interested to know how much it would cost to hire a film (in New Zealand), at it may be cheaper than getting individual images for 6 credits from ScotlandsPeople.  And when you browse a parish register you often find information you didn't even know you were looking for.

Looking at the familysearch website the fees appear to be

https://familysearch.org/films/

Short-term Microfilm Loan (up to 90 days)  NZ$10.65
  Extended Microfilm Loan (indefinite)  NZ$26.62
  
Short-term Microfilm Loan Renewal  NZ$10.65
Extended Microfilm Loan Renewal  NZ$26.62